Public Service Building

November 17, 1928 marked the official opening of the Public Service Building, located on the southeast block of Church Street and Milwaukee Avenue. The building was built by Samuel Insull who envisioned it as part of his dream-concept community. Designed by architect Hermann Valentin Von Holst, a noted Prairie School architect of the day, the stucco edifice with brick trim is a lovely, yet unusual blend old English, Moorish, and Asian styles. The two-story building is located at the southeast corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Church Streets with entrances on both. When it was built is also housed a rear arcade and a variety of establishments. Initially it was the home of the Public Service Company, the first electrical provider to Lake County. The utility company operated a Public Service Store which featured a miniature model kitchen where, according to the Lake County Register, "the housewife can see the various electrical appliances in actual use." Besides the utility headquarters, the first floor shared space with The Libertyville Trust and Savings Bank and seven retail stores. The bank moved into the Public Service Building and held its first board meeting there on June 11, 1929. The second floor included eleven business offices and seven kitchenette apartments. At the time of the opening, the Lake County Register noted that even decorative elements such as light fixtures and clocks were designed according to the architect's plans. A beautiful landscaped courtyard with a lighted fountain graced the east side of the building. The courtyard was accessible from the arcade where shoppers could enjoy the view. In the 1950s the building housed the Libertyville Federal Savings Bank, Harry Taylor's Drugstore, Ruth's Distinctive Dresses, the Sheridan Beauty Salon, and other businesses. Libertyville Federal Savings and Loan bought the building in 1982 and had it renovated and restored. The Public Service Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. See related website for more information on the NRHP.

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November 17, 1928 marked the official opening of the Public Service Building, located on the southeast block of Church Street and Milwaukee Avenue. The building was built by Samuel Insull who envisioned it as part of his dream-concept community. Designed by architect Hermann Valentin Von Holst, a noted Prairie School architect of the day, the stucco edifice with brick trim is a lovely, yet unusual blend old English, Moorish, and Asian styles. The two-story building is located at the southeast corner of Milwaukee Avenue and Church Streets with entrances on both. When it was built is also housed a rear arcade and a variety of establishments. Initially it was the home of the Public Service Company, the first electrical provider to Lake County. The utility company operated a Public Service Store which featured a miniature model kitchen where, according to the Lake County Register, "the housewife can see the various electrical appliances in actual use." Besides the utility headquarters, the first floor shared space with The Libertyville Trust and Savings Bank and seven retail stores. The bank moved into the Public Service Building and held its first board meeting there on June 11, 1929. The second floor included eleven business offices and seven kitchenette apartments. At the time of the opening, the Lake County Register noted that even decorative elements such as light fixtures and clocks were designed according to the architect's plans. A beautiful landscaped courtyard with a lighted fountain graced the east side of the building. The courtyard was accessible from the arcade where shoppers could enjoy the view. In the 1950s the building housed the Libertyville Federal Savings Bank, Harry Taylor's Drugstore, Ruth's Distinctive Dresses, the Sheridan Beauty Salon, and other businesses. Libertyville Federal Savings and Loan bought the building in 1982 and had it renovated and restored. The Public Service Building was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1983. See related website for more information on the NRHP.

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